Male Infertility Coexists with Decreased Sperm Genomic Integrity and Oxidative Stress in Semen Irrespective of Leukocytospermia

Abstract

Our research was designed to verify the relationship between male infertility, basic semen characteristics (with respect to detailed sperm morphology), sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF), oxidation‒reduction potential in semen (ORP), and leukocytospermia. The obtained results showed that infertile groups (with or without leukocytospermia) had significantly lower basic semen characteristics and higher SDF, raw ORP, and static ORP (sORP) than fertile controls. The thresholds of 13% SDF (AUC = 0.733) and 1.40 sORP (AUC = 0.857) were predictive values for discriminating infertile from fertile men. In infertile groups, a higher prevalence and risk for >13% SDF and >1.40 sORP were revealed. Unexpectedly, leukocytospermic subjects had lower sORP, prevalence, and risk for >1.40 sORP than leukocytospermic-negative men. These groups did not differ in SDF and raw ORP. Both SDF and sORP negatively correlated with basic semen parameters but positively correlated with sperm head and midpiece defects. sORP positively correlated with sperm tail defects, immature sperm cells with excess residual cytoplasm, and SDF. In turn, raw ORP negatively correlated with sperm count but positively correlated with SDF and sORP. These findings indicate that (1) there is a relationship between male infertility, SDF, and OS in semen; (2) in infertile men, there is a clinically significant risk of SDF and OS irrespective of leukocytospermia; and (3) the assessment of SDF and oxidative stress should be independent of leukocytospermia.

Outcomes comparison of testicular versus ejaculated sperm for intracytoplasmic sperm injection in infertile men with high DNA fragmentation: updated systematic review and meta-analysis

“…The integrity of sperm DNA is critical for both natural and assisted fertility outcomes. The standardization of the techniques used for evaluation of single-strand DNA break (SSB) and double-strand DNA break (DSB) may have significant implications for the future management of infertile men with high SDF ( 47 , 48 ). The debate about the evaluation of SDF starts with the DNA analysis techniques, all based on different mechanisms for the detection of DNA breaks.…”

Anthocyanins from Lycium ruthenicum Murray Mitigate Cadmium-Induced Oxidative Stress and Testicular Toxicity by Activating the Keap1/Nrf2 Signaling Pathway

“…We recorded morphologically abnormal sperm cells as previously described. The evaluation of abnormal sperm morphology followed the WHO guidelines and included the teratozoospermia index (TZI), calculated as the total number of defects divided by the number of abnormal sperm, and the sperm deformity index (SDI), calculated as the total number of defects divided by the total number of sperm [ 79 ].…”

Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in Male Infertility: Established Methodologies and Future Perspectives

“…Subsequently, an ORP cutoff value of 1.34 mV/106 sperm/mL has also been recognized, beyond which reproductive capabilities are compromised [77]. Measurements are performed on completely liquefied seminal samples [78]. The test, performed on seminal fluid within 30 min of emission, involves applying a small portion of semen to a sensor inserted into the analyzer, and is capable of providing a result after just 2 min.…”